Olympian Cormier Set for MMA Debut in Strikeforce

Daniel Cormier, a two-time Olympian and NJCAA champion, will be the latest in a series of successful wrestlers to make the leap to mixed martial arts when he takes to the cage for Strikeforce on Sept. 25.

Cormier, 30, has not been given an opponent yet but will be featured on the televised portion of the Strikeforce Challenger Series card that will take place in Tulsa, Okla., according to a news release distributed by the promotion Wednesday.

"I haven't done anything since the Olympics, and that competitor fire in me started to build and build last year,” said Cormier, explaining his decision to try his hand at MMA. “When I started feeling that, I started pursuing all avenues."

Cormier recently made a move to San Jose, Calif., to join the vaunted American Kickboxing Academy, which also houses former wrestlers Jon Fitch, Josh Koscheck and Cain Velasquez.

He will compete at light heavyweight for Strikeforce and will likely have to win a few fights in the Challenger Series before he gets a crack on one of the organization’s bigger cards.

Strikeforce Challengers
Sept. 25
SpiritBank Event Center
Tulsa, Okla.

Tim Kennedy vs. Zak Cummings
Tyron Woodley vs. Zach Light
Ray Sefo vs. Kevin Jordan
Travis Calanoc vs. Thomas Longacrevs
Lacey Schuckman vs. Jeri Sitzes
Paul Bradley vs. Levi Avera
Brandon Gaines vs. Trey Houston
John Carson vs. Kenny Giddens
Nick Gibbons vs. Josh Pulsifer
Lemont Davis vs. Dillon Smith
Daniel Cormier vs. TBA